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Prof Jonathan Birch

This course is compulsory on the BSc in Philosophy and Economics, BSc in Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with a Year Abroad) and BSc in Politics and Philosophy. This course is available on the BA in Social Anthropology, BSc in Economic History and Geography, BSc in International Relations, BSc in International Social and Public Policy, BSc in Politics, BSc in Politics and International Relations, BSc in Psychological and Behavioural Science and BSc in Social Anthropology. This course is available as an outside option to students on other programmes where regulations permit and to General Course students.

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At some point in our lives, we are all gripped by deep and fundamental questions. Questions about life, the universe and everything. Philosophers aim to make progress on these questions with clear and precise arguments. In this course, some of the big questions we may address include:

(1) Do I know anything?

(2) Who am I?

(3) What is consciousness?

(4) What is truth?

(5) What are space and time?

(6) Do I have free will?

(7) What's the right thing to do?

(8) What's the best form of government?

(9) How can I live a meaningful life?

No one has definitive answers to these questions. But understanding the possible answers, and the arguments for and against them, is what philosophy is all about.

By grappling with these questions, you will learn the essential skills of a philosopher. First, you will develop your ability to read philosophical texts, focusing on how to extract and present a philosophical thesis and argument in a clear, logical way. Second, you will develop your thinking skills and analytical abilities by participating in philosophical discussions with your peers. Finally, you will develop your ability to construct philosophical arguments of your own by writing philosophy essays.

The questions of this course are some of the hardest that have ever been asked. We can't promise that you'll feel any closer to knowing the answers at the end of the course than you did at the beginning. But this course will help you understand the big questions, and to think about them in a reflective, philosophical way.

10 hours of lectures and 15 hours of classes in the AT. 10 hours of lectures and 10 hours of classes in the WT.

In addition to the regular class content, the 90 minutes long AT classes will also provide you with practical advice and exercises to improve your writing style. 

This course is delivered through a combination of classes and lectures totalling a minimum of 45 hours across Autumn Term and Winter Term. This course includes a reading week in Week 6 of Autumn and Winter Term.

Students will be expected to write three pieces of formative coursework during the year.

The readings will be articles and excerpts from books and will be made available via Moodle.

Essay (40%, 1500 words) and essay (40%, 1500 words) in the ST.
In-class assessment (10%) in the AT and WT.
Exercise (10%) in the WT.

You will be assessed in class throughout the year using short-answer questions.

The first summative essay will be a revision of one of your formative essays, according to the feedback from your class teacher and, if available, your peers.

This revised essay will be accompanied by a 750 word reflective commentary explaining how feedback and participation in learning activities enabled you to improve your essay. 

You will receive two distinct marks: one for the summative essay, and one for the accompanying reflective commentary.